TEXTURED TACOS

Textured Tacos

Learning Targets

• Create an original Textured Taco using sculpture techniques learned in class
• Use primary/secondary colors (red, blue, yellow; green, purple, orange), texture (implied, actual, visual), and form (two dimensional, three dimensional) inspired by American Ceramist (1943-Present) Betty Spindler
• Use ceramic techniques (coil method, slip/score method, slab method) and design principles (balance, proportion, movement) based on American Art
• Define Imprint (a mark or outline on the surface of an object)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1.  Big Cheesy Beef Tacos (1987) Betty Spindler

2.  Read Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
3. Discussion Questions "Do you have family members that come from a part of the world where that was a tradition? Is it associated with a special time of year or a specific holiday? What do you see inside that taco? How do you make a taco for a dragon? Did you know if you want to make friends with a dragon you need have a taco party (thats a party with a lot of tacos!)? Which would you like? Do you prefer beans, ground beef, or chicken for your meat? Do you want to own a dragon? What are some things dragons would love? What are some things dragons would hate? How do you make a taco? How would you draw a taco? How did we put it together?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use slab method to form the base (taco shell) of the ceramic textured taco
2. Use coil method to form the details (tomato slices, lettuce, meat) of the ceramic textured taco
3. Use modeling tools (wooden chips, shells, pencils, clay stamps) to add an imprint to the outside of the ceramic textured taco

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Textured Taco for Assigned Table
2. Two Taco Plates (1987) Betty Spindler
3. Discussion Questions "What do you notice about this ceramic work? How are the tacos represented? Do they look real? How is space used in this ceramic work? How does the use of light and shadow add to the composition? Is this subject matter symbolic in any way- of what? Can you conjure an image in your mind of a food you love? Can you recall the colors, shapes, or textures? Can you recall the taste? What was this artist trying to say or do? What did you notice about their work? What is the artwork about? How would you support this interpretation? Is the artwork successful in your view? Can you describe the difference between ceramics and sculpture?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add details (tomato slices, sour cream, lettuce, meat) to inside (taco shell) of the textured taco
2. Add imprints (swirls, stripes, shapes) to outside (taco shell) of the ceramic textured taco
3. Add embellishments (glitter, sequins, small beads, yarn) to inside (taco shell) of the ceramic textured taco

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Ceramic Textured Taco for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (paint brushes, watercolor, water bucket)

Lesson Activities

1. Use primary colors (red, blue, yellow) to fill in the base (taco shell) of the ceramic textured taco
2. Use secondary colors (green, orange, purple) to fill in the details (tomato slices, lettuce, meat) of the ceramic textured taco

Artist Examples

Student Examples